In the middle of the Nevada desert, forty-five minutes from the nearest gas station, is an alien themed restaurant/motel called The Little A’Le’Inn (pronounced “Alie-inn”). It’s one of the closest business establishments to the gate of the mysterious military base known as Area 51, which is legendary for its rumors and conspiracies. Is this were America houses the aliens that supposedly crash landed in Roswell, New Mexico in 1947? Roland Emmerich and Steven Spielberg seem to think so and have set parts of their movies there. Those films and so much more have made Area 51 a must-visit destination for alien enthusiasts. And when those people get hungry, they stop at The Little A’Le’Inn.

While researching the script for their latest movie, Paul, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost took a long RV trip and ended up at the Rachel, NV restaurant. The actors felt such a kinship with its authenticity, they ended up writing it into their movie. (It’s the place with Jane Lynch that you see in the trailer.) It seemed fitting, then, that Universal asked a pack of journalists to hop in RVs and ride all the way out to The Little A’Le’Inn to interview Pegg, Frost as well as director Greg Mottola about Paul, which hits theaters Friday March 18. It’s a hilarious, referenced laced love letter to sci-fi movies and road trips, with a great cast to support an incredible special effect. We talked to Mottola about all of this, his penchant for one word titles, the film’s poster and more in our 5 minute sit down interview, which you can watch after the jump.

Later this week, check back for our 10 minute sit down with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.

Paul, directed by Greg Mottola (Superbad, Adventureland) and written by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) also stars Pegg and Frost along with Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Jason Bateman, Jane Lynch, Sigourney Weaver and Seth Rogen as Paul. It opens on March 18. Watch the trailer here.